







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| I hope she is not a problematic one, then... | |
| You never pick Bear's poo up from the pavement. | |
| I have one sister and she is nineteen. | |
| First of all, it's so sad to see them in pain. | |
| And we have to weigh everything by ourselves, etcetera. | |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | |
| How is it my fault? | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |
| Thank you, see you there on Saturday at 13:00. | |
| Do you like train rides, too? | |
| Exactly, I hate getting woken up in the middle of the night! | |
| Nope, oyster cards are only for transport in London. | |
| What's wrong with him? | |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | |
| There is no table for you, then! | |
| What do you think about him, Cate? | |
| You don't know the story behind it. | |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |